Android: Alongside a great update to Android 4.2, Google released some new hardware to run it. Along with a new Nexus 4 smartphone, they're finally offering up a 10" tablet to compete with the iPad—at a fairly lower price.

Although still considered Jellybean, Google updated Android to version 4.2 today and added several…
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Nexus 10

While many third-party manufacturers have entered the 10" tablet market much sooner, Google has finally put forward an official Nexus device of that size—and it's pretty impressive. The screen has a 2560x1600 resolution—the same size as many 27" computer monitors—creating a pixel density of 300ppi. By comparison, that packs in more pixels than Apple's iPad with retina display. (Whether or not more pixels you can't perceive is actually useful is another question entirely, but it's still an impressive specification.) It's powered by a fast dual-core 1.7GHz Samsung Exynos processor, sports 2GB of RAM, has a 5 megapixel camera, and stereo speakers. The battery life is rated at nine hours, coming in a little under the iPad (like most Android tablets due in this metric).

The Nexus 10 starts at $399 for 16GB and goes up to $499 for 32GB. That's $100 less than comparable iPads with less-impressive specifications. It'll be available for purchase on the Google Play store as early as November 13th.

Nexus 4 and 7

Google also released the Nexus 4 smartphone and an upgraded version of their Nexus 7 tablet, now with the option of an HSPA+ data plan. The Nexus 4 gets a 320ppi 4.7" screen and a fast quad-core processor. It starts at $299 for 8GB and goes up to $349 for 16GB, unlocked. The 16GB version will also be offered through T-Mobile at $199 with a two-year contract. You can buy either version as early as November 13th on the Google Play store. The Nexus 7 is available now on Google Play, and the HSPA+ version will be available for $299 on the 13th as well.